Catamenial support



April 20, 1954 v z. BRAM 2,675,806

' CATAMENIAL SUPPORT Filed Dec. 19, 1952 INVENTOR' Z1 5 E r am ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 20, 1954 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGEv CATAMENIAL SUPPORT Zia Bram, Elizabeth, N. J. Application December 19, 1952, Serial No. 327,004

3 Claims.

This invention relates to catamenial supports,

The catamenial supports commonly in use have basic defects in that the fastening means is exposed, cause uncomfortable contact of metal with the skin, and frequently pinch or otherwise induce discomfort. In addition, it is necessary that these supports comprise as little bulk as possible, particularly when in use.

Having in mind the defects of the prior art devices, it is an object of the present invention to provide a catamenial support having shielded fasteners that are precluded from contacting the wearer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a catamenial support of little bulk and which will be substantially imperceptable in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a catamenial support having simplicity of design, economy of construction and efiiciency in use.

The foregoing objects and other ancillary thereto are preferably accomplished in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, by a support havingan elastic waist band supporting a thin fabric support which may be in the form of a strip to be suspended through the crotch or in the form of a panty. A pair of loops are fixed to the fabric support in spaced relation to surround the end portions of a catamenial pad. A pair of fasteners, for securing the ends of a pad, are suspended by elastic strips from the waist band, and these elastic strips and fasteners are enclosed within a pair of narrow pockets formed on the fabric support and extending downwardly from the waist band and open at the bottom.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a catamenial halter in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 2, and showing h fastener support and enclosure, and

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of a modification of the invention incorporating a panty.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically to Figure 1, a catamenial support in accordance with the present invention comprises an elastic waist band H, to which is secured a thin fabric support l2, which maybe in the form .of a strip secured at its ends to the waist band II and adapted to be suspended through the crotch of the wearer. This type of structure is generally referred to as a halter.

A pair of loops I3 is secured transversely of the fabric support l2 and substantially equidistant from the center thereof to surround and locate the end portions of a catamenial pad P, as best shown in Figure 2. The support I2 is provided with a liner or double layer of material I2a, through the crotch portion and between said loops I3, the liner lia terminating and being secured to the fabric support I2 beneath the loops [3.

An elongated narrow pocket 14 is provided on the inner side of the fabric support I2 at each end thereof. These pockets I4 extend downwardly from the waist band H and are open at their lower ends. A strip of elastic I5 is disposed within each of the pockets M, the upper ends of said strips l5 being secured to the Waist band II, and fasteners I6 being secured to the lower ends of said strips l5 and resiliently supported by said strips within the respective pockets 14.

The fasteners It, as best shown in Figure 3, are preferably of the type comprising a rigid frame I! forming an elongated loop tapering toward its lower end I8 for straddling a headed stud [9 that is carried by a flexible strip 20 that is attached to the upper end of the frame IT. This form of fastener has the advantage of reducing Wear on the parts, avoiding pointed instruments, such as pins, that may inflict injury or discomfort and of occupying the minimum space or bulk.

A modification of the invention is shown in Figure 4 wherein the fabric support I2 is in the form of a panty rather than a narrow strip. In other respects, the structure is identical to that previously described as is evident from the drawing except that the liner l2a conforms to the configuration to the panty instead of being a straight strip.

The use of either form of the device is the same except that the use of the panty modification of Figure 4 may preclude the necessity for an extra garment of this type. In any event, in use, a catamenial pad P is disposed within the support [2 or ['2' and its end portions are respectively inserted in the loops l3, as shown in Figure 2. The tabs or the like on the ends of the pad P are then secured by withdrawing the fasteners l6 from the pockets I4 by stretching the elastic strips 15, fitting the tab over the respective stud l9 and clinching the tab by straddling the stud with the tapered loop portion l8. The elastic strip then retracts the fasteners into the pockets 14 so that there can be no contact between the fasteners and the wearer.

Although certain specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the spirit of the appended claims in the light of the prior art.

What I claim is:

l. A catamenial support comprising an elastic waist band, a fabric support suspended from said waist band to be supported through the crotch of a wearer, a narrow open-bottom pocket on the inner side of each end of said fabric support and extending downwardly from said waist band, a pair of elastic strips, each secured at one end to said waist band and one within each said pocket, a fastener comprising a stud and partially encircling loop on the free end of each said elastic strip and normally supported thereby within its pocket but resiliently extendable therefrom to facilitate fastening to the respective ends of a catamenial pad, a pair of loops secured transversely on the inner side of said fabric support and respectively spaced from each other and below said pockets to surround the end portions of a catamenial pad, and a double layer of material on said fabric support only between said loops.

2. A catamenial support as defined in claim 1, wherein said fabric support comprises a narrow strip.

3. A catamenial support as defined in claim 1, wherein said fabric support comprises a panty.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 605,108 Lindsay June 7, 1898 1,110,674 Des Rosiers Sept. 15, 1914 2,452,129 Kaldor Oct. 26, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 292,464 Great Britain Aug. 1, 1929 

